Pain Related Depression

Lets look at the affects of chronic pain on the brain and our emotions. Take this new research into account as a motivating factor to get help for chronic pain.

Chronic pain can lead to brain damage, anxiety, depression and reduced decision making capability.

"Chronic pain changes the way information is processed in the brain, and the findings could explain why those who experience long-term pain frequently suffer other symptoms such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and difficulty making decisions.....This constant firing of neurons in these regions of the brain could cause permanent damage, Chialvo said. ?We know when neurons fire too much they may change their connections with other neurons or even die because they can?t sustain high activity for so long,? he explained."

Read more at

https://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1244387/chronic_pain_can_damage_brain/#Bz0DdwpMSceMZdSD.99

People living with high levels of chronic pain are at a higher risk ofsuicide.

"Comorbid conditions that pose risks for suicide, especially depression, are prevalent in people living with chronic pain. The true numbers of failed attempts and successful suicides are unknown and may never be determined. Yet risk factors for suicidal ideation are so high in this population that it must be assumed that some proportion of those who die of drug overdoses might have intended to end their lives, not just temporarily relieve their pain"

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3125689/

Previous assumptions about the levels of depression in people living with pain were underestimated.

"Levels of depression and anxiety in people with severe rheumatoid arthritis are higher than previously reported, according to new research. As a result of their findings, a multi-center team says that patients with severe active disease, who are waiting to go onto a biological therapy, should be routinely screened for depression by their doctors."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140121130907.htm

Lets start to link some resources on dealing with pain related depression.

"Living with Chronic Pain and Depression

About 50 percent of people who have chronic pain also have depression, according toRobert D. Kerns, Ph.D, National Program Director forPain Managementfor the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Director of the Pain Research, Informatics, Medical comorbidities and Education (PRIME) Center at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System."

Read further at

https://psychcentral.com/lib/living-with-chronic-pain-and-depression/00016150

Hi Eugene, this is a great and really necessary topic to make! Depression can go hand-in-hand with chronic illnesses... living with pain can cause frustration and despair, especially when the pain inhibits goals and plans for day-to-day life.

I'm here to support any members who are struggling with these things, and hope that you'll be able to reach out here.

Thank you for starting this thread!

I know this can be an important issue for those with chronic pain.